Indiana - Mortgage Fraud Resources

Like many states, Indiana took steps in 2008-09 to strengthen its mortgage fraud laws and establish penalties to discourage fraudulent actions by borrowers and lenders.

In 2009, the state attorney general warned about a mortgage fraud scheme in which criminals exploit a loophole in state law to obtain apparent ownership of a property. Attorney General Greg Zoeller said the crooks aren't interested in the property itself, but use their "ownership" to obtain a fraudulent loan. Once the thieves get the money, they disappear with it and leave the actual property owner with the debt.

As Indiana has worked to close such loopholes, state and federal agencies have developed a network of resources to help homeowners address mortgage fraud. Some of these, along with contact information, are listed below.

FBI field offices are responsible for investigating potential cases of fraud and work the state and federal attorneys general to prosecute criminals. The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offices can help mortgage applicants find the resources they need to make smart mortgage decisions.

Credit union and banking associations help to set guidelines that their lenders should follow. These organizations can also help borrowers select reputable lenders. The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions helps to set fair practices and guidelines for mortgage lenders and homeowners. They can be contacted for advice about the steps borrowers should take in shopping for mortgages.

The Better Business Bureau sets guidelines by which businesses should operate and takes steps to ensure that consumers are treated fairly.


Office of the Indiana Attorney General
Consumer Services Division
www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/
Consumer Complaints
www.in.gov/attorneygeneral/consumer/onlineform.html
Indiana Government Center South
302 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-6330
Toll-free: (800) 382-5516
Email: Constituent@atg.in.gov

Indiana Department of Financial Institutions
www.in.gov/dfi/
30 South Meridian St., Suite 300
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 232-3955

FBI Field Office - Indianapolis
http://indianapolis.fbi.gov
575 N. Pennsylvania Street, Rm 679 FOB
Indianapolis, IN 46204-1585
Phone: (317) 639-3301

Indiana Real Estate Commission
http://www.in.gov/pla/real.htm
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone: (317) 234-3009
Email: pla9@pla.in.gov

Indiana Real Estate Appraiser Licensure and Certification Board
http://www.in.gov/pla/appraiser.htm
402 West Washington Street, Room W072
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
Phone: (317) 234-3009
Email: pla9@pla.in.gov

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Indianapolis Field Office
www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?topic=offices&state=in
151 North Delaware Street, Suite 1200
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2526
Phone: (317) 226-6303
Email: IN-webmanager@hud.gov

Chicago Regional Office
www.hud.gov/local/index.cfm?state=il&topic=offices
Ralph Metcalfe Fed Building
77 West Jackson Boulevard
Chicago, IL 60604-3507
Phone: (312) 353-5680

National Credit Union Administration
Region III - Atlanta
www.ncua.gov/AboutNcua/org/Region3.htm
7000 Central Parkway, Suite 1600
Atlanta, GA 30328
Phone: (678) 443-3000
Email: Region3@ncua.gov

U.S. Treasury Office of Thrift Supervision
1700 G Street, NW
Washington, DC 20552
Consumer Complaints
www.ots.treas.gov/resultsort.cfm?catNumber=88&dl=17&edit=1
Phone: (800) 842-6929
E-mail: consumer.complaint@ots.treas.gov

Southeast Region - Chicago
1 South Wacker Drive - Suite 2000
Chicago, Illinois 60606
Phone (312) 917-5000

Better Business Bureaus
Better Business Bureau of Indianapolis
www.indybbb.org
Victoria Centre
22 E. Washington St., Ste. 200
Indianapolis, IN 46204-3584
Phone: (317) 488-2222
E-mail: info@indybbb.org

Better Business Bureau of Northwest Indiana
www.nwin.bbb.org
6111 Harrison Street, Ste. 101
Merrillville, IN 46410
Phone: (219) 791-9550
E-mail: info@nwin.bbb.org

Cincinnati Better Business Bureau
http://cincinnati.bbb.org/
7 West 7th Street, Suite 1600
Cincinnati, OH 45202-2023
Phone: (513) 421-3015
E-mail: info@cincinnati.bbb.org

Better Business Bureau of Northeastern Indiana
www.fortwayne.bbb.org
4011 Parnell Ave
Fort Wayne, IN 46805-3493
Phone: (260) 423-4433
E-mail: info@neindianabbb.org

The Better Business Bureau
www.ky-in.bbb.org
844 S. 4th Street
Louisville, KY 40203-2186
Phone: (502) 583-6546
E-mail: info@bbbkyin.org

Tri-State Better Business Bureau
www.evansville.bbb.org
5401 Vogel Rd., Ste. 410
Evansville, IN 47715
Phone: (812) 473-0202
Toll-free: (800) 359-0979
E-mail: info@evansville.bbb.org